Home is where our story begins…

On December 8, 2021, a family of five Syrian refugees landed at Richardson International Airport in a pandemic: Manar, Khodor, and sons Mohammad (16), Yousef (15), and Abed Al Raouf (9). Waiting for them in Portage la Prairie was Khodor’s sister, Iftikar and her family along with members of the

Winnipegger Andrea Shalay Flees Ukraine

In August of 2021, Andrea Shalay relocated to Zaporizhia, Ukraine to begin a new position with Mennonite Central Committee as their new Peace Engagement Coordinator for Europe. At the time, the country seemed relatively stable, but also a good location to set out on new adventures. Little did she know,

April Magazine 2022

For April’s issue, we’re featuring stories of refugees—those who have fled their homes due to conflict and persecution. Sheri Blaylock, a member of the Portage & Area Refugee Coalition, writes about the sponsorship journey of a Syrian family, who landed at Richardson International Airport on December 8, 2021. But first, RLN

Environmental action in Canadian faith communities

The following article is a research summary of Justine Backer’s Master’s thesis, Contributions to Sustainability Practices of Faith Communities in Canada: The roles of learning, action, and faith. Introduction In 2019, I completed my Master’s thesis at the University of Manitoba. My research focused on environmental sustainability action in Canadian

It Starts With Wonder

An hour and a half east of Winnipeg, where the prairie grasses meet the rocky outcroppings of the Canadian Shield, there is a lodge surrounded by forest. A small river, aptly named the Boggy River, meanders along the edge of this land. I walk into the forest beside the river,

Faith Perspectives: A Photo Essay by Kenji Dyck

How might we look at the church within the architecture of the natural world? In Faith Perspectives, the photographer turns our eye to the physical structures of the church, only to bolster a larger, wilder scaffolding around it. We see the church as enlivened in its earthly environment: summer camp

A Eucharist for the Environment: Environmental activism in Rupert’s Land

We are hurtling towards climate disaster. With the rampant rise of heat waves, forest fires, tropical storms and more, we are already in the thick of it and things will continue to get worse. However, there is still hope for change and climate activists are working tirelessly around the world

March Magazine 2022

March’s issue on “Creation Care” grapples with the issue of climate change, climate justice, and what it means to have faith in the midst of it all. RLN Reporter at Large Hannah Foulger reaches out to individuals and ministries in the diocese that are at the forefront of climate action. In

Reading Laudato Si’: A Lenten study in Rupert’s Land

An Introduction to Laudato Si’ as Lenten Study By Bishop Geoffrey Woodcroft In 2015, Pope Francis wrote Laudato Si, Our Common Home, an encyclical focusing on climate action, and how it impacts human relationships in religion and in the entirety of creation. Laudato Si is quickly becoming a timeless speech,

Faith, Coleridge, and Poetry: An Interview with English Poet Malcolm Guite

The poet-priest Malcolm Guite is difficult to define in such a short space. Guite is an an immensely gifted poet, Anglican priest, and singer-songwriter in the rock band “Mystery Train.” In the Anglican Communion, he is known and celebrated for his work Sounding the Seasons: Seventy Sonnets for the Christian

Call to Prayer — February 24, 2022

February 24, 2022 The news of violent and hostile military action against Ukraine today reveals the fragility of the peace on which the health of the human family depends. The images of war and fear are only part of the evidence that this beautiful planet is under threat by the

Three Poems by Kyla Neufeld

One of my favourite poems is Mary Oliver’s “Making the House Ready for the Lord.” In it, the poem’s speaker is trying to clean up her house, to make it “as shining as it should be,” for a visit from God. But, she keeps running into problems: mice under the sink

RLN in Conversation with Joanne Epp

Joanne Epp is a poet from the Canadian prairies, born and raised in Saskatchewan. Joanne has published poetry in literary journals including The New Quarterly, The Antigonish Review, and CV2. Her chapbook, Crossings, was released in 2012, followed by her first full poetry collection Eigenheim. Her second collection of poetry,

February Magazine 2022

This February, we’re turning an eye to the poets. How does poetry feed the soul(s) of the Church? Hannah Foulger opens with a tribute to the American poet-witness Carolyn Forché. Hannah is the new RLN Reporter/Writer at Large, and we’re thrilled to welcome her to the RLN team. Look out

Rupert’s Land Wechetowin: Deacon Report 2021

Rupert’s Land Wechetowin Rev. Deacon Tanis McLeod Kolisnyk – Deacon Report 2021 Rupert’s Land Wechetowin efforts have continued during the entire year of 2021. In June we were blessed with a grant by the Anglican Healing Fund to help with this ministry. Our efforts work towards healing, wellness, and reconciliation.

A Statement on the Vaccination Mandate Protest Convoy

February 1, 2022 A Statement on the Vaccination Mandate Protest Convoy Over the past number of days, we have seen people from across our country exercise their right to gather and protest what they believe to be unjust laws. We fully support that right and encourage people to speak up

CURRENT ISSUE

Generations

We start this month’s issue off with an article from the Rev. Theo Robinson on the resolution at General Synod on Pastoral Liturgies for Journeys for Gender Transition and Affirmation. This article explores the context leading up to the resolution and the good news of the Anglican Church of Canada becoming the first in the worldwide communion of Anglican Churches to have a pastoral liturgy for gender transition.

Next, the Rev. Dixie Bird describes the experiences and teachings shared at Sacred Beginnings. Sacred Beginnings is an embryo of Sacred Circle for youth to learn traditional teachings and get involved in the work being done by Indigenous Anglicans and just had its second gathering in May this year.

The Rev. Alan Hayes reflects on the 1963 Anglican Congress in Toronto which was a turning point in Anglican history and began significant conversations about decolonization and the Anglican Church’s relationship with the British empire. A recent conference marking 60 years since this congress has brought forward reflections on what has changed in the Anglican church in the intervening years.

A note from Refugee Coordinator Marlene Smith invites you to the diocese’s marking of World Refugee Day on June 23rd at Epiphany Indigenous Church. This day is meant as an invitation to “welcome the stranger” and calls us to explore the relationship between moving towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and supporting those displaced by war abroad.

Robyn Sulkko of the PWRDF youth council announces their 12 month Youth to Youth program which provides opportunities for people ages 12-16 to learn about each other’s cultures and build right relationships with each other.

Finally, a parish profile on St. Michael and All Angels’ explores how that community’s unique Anglo-Catholic worship connects with both retired clergy and congregants in their 20s all looking to worship with all the senses in a context outside of the business of daily life.

I hope you enjoy this month’s articles.

 

Read and download the June issue here.

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